broken timing belt=valve damage?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Robert Reynolds, Apr 19, 2007.

  1. My 1987 Accord LX (with carburetor) had a timing belt failure. Is it
    possible to know if my valves and pistons are trashed without
    disassembling the engine? I didn't hear any loud catastrophic sounding
    noises when it failed. It just stopped running.
     
    Robert Reynolds, Apr 19, 2007
    #1
  2. Robert Reynolds

    Paul. Guest

    When you get the new timing belt back on, try to rotate the engine. Engine
    damage is usually obvious at that point. If it rotates okay, do a cylinder
    compression test. If that's okay, all is well.
     
    Paul., Apr 19, 2007
    #2
  3. Robert Reynolds

    motsco_ Guest

    --------------------------------

    Take off the valve cover, set the pistons at half-mast, Turn the cam(s)
    over by hand in order to check the valve clearances. If any are
    super-excessive on any valves, they are the bent ones.

    You don't want to bay a timing belt you may not need (disposable
    engine). :-(

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_, Apr 19, 2007
    #3
  4. You're fine! The 86-89 Accord engines were one of the last(if not THE last)
    which WERE NOT interference type.

    How do I know? Because the timing belt on my '88 Accord LX sedan snapped in
    '01 while cruising along at 60 mph. I immediately thought the engine was
    toast but I learned later that I got extremely lucky. I ordered the parts and
    it's been running fine for the past 5+ years.

    If you don't believe me then ask the guys at Matta Motors. They've been Honda
    specialists for the past 25 years and really know their stuff.

    www.mattamotors.com
     
    Headknocker via CarKB.com, Apr 19, 2007
    #4
  5. Robert Reynolds

    TE Chea Guest

    | Is it
    | possible to know if my valves and pistons are trashed without
    | disassembling the engine?

    insert an endoscope into s-plugs' holes & see on tv / mntr
     
    TE Chea, Apr 19, 2007
    #5
  6. Robert Reynolds

    Elle Guest

    gates.com says the only non-interference engines from 1973
    to the present are the 3.2L Honda Passports.
     
    Elle, Apr 19, 2007
    #6

  7. This is the answer I was really hoping for. Thanks to everybody who
    replied.

    I was cruising on the highway at about 65 when it broke. The battery
    light didn't turn on at first because the transmission was still turning
    the engine for about 10 seconds until I put it in neutral. Looks like I
    don't really have a big problem after all.
     
    Robert Reynolds, Apr 19, 2007
    #7
  8. Robert Reynolds

    Tegger Guest



    Which are actually Isuzu engines...
     
    Tegger, Apr 20, 2007
    #8
  9. Robert,

    Mine did the same thing. No sound...the engine just stopped.

    I was always under the impression that the 86-89 Accords, like all Hondas,
    had interference type engines so my heart sank when I pulled off the upper
    timing belt cover and learned
    that it had snapped.

    The next day I logged onto the Matta Motors site to discover that I was wrong.
    I wanted further confirmation so I called them and talked to Jim or Dan(the
    Matta brothers). They assured me that the engine was fine so I just needed to
    slap on a new belt and tensioner pulley.

    They were right! I was going around 60 mph and the engine didn't suffer any
    damage. That was almost six years ago...the car still runs like a champ.
     
    Headknocker via CarKB.com, Apr 20, 2007
    #9
  10. So, a new tensioner is recommended as well? I took the timing belt
    cover off, detached the engine mount, and removed the power steering
    belt. I got into it just enough to realize that I wasn't feeling
    motivated to work on a car yesterday afternoon. I'm planning to leap
    into action Saturday morning.

    It looks like I need a new camshaft seal. Is this the kind of seal
    where you remove the shaft and put in two halves while it's out, or is
    it the kind where you take off the gear and press a round seal into
    place from the outside? Also, where is the timing mark on the gear?
    All I see is one spoke that says "UP".

    Do you have any other words of wisdom for me about this project?
     
    Robert Reynolds, Apr 20, 2007
    #10
  11. Robert,

    I've never had to replace any of my seals(at least not the cam or crank seals)
    so I can't help you there.

    I DO recommend replacing the tensioner pulley as they usually start to wear
    at the end of the timing belt's life. You might as do it while you have
    everything apart. It's usually not absolutely necessary but it's cheap
    insurance.

    I should warn you about holding the crankcase pulley stationary. On the 86-89
    Accords it's kinda a PITA. You may need to buy a strap wrench or you could
    drill two holes in the crankcase pulley and then connect a long rod to it
    with some nuts an bolts.

    Good Luck. Let us know how it turns out.
     
    Headknocker via CarKB.com, Apr 24, 2007
    #11
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